Article Tools

Ben wiessner said eggs, bread and milk are the most requested items. (Frank Andruscavage)

MAHANOY CITY — A borough councilman is on a mission to help elderly residents who are staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ben Wiessner, a Navy veteran, is reaching out through social media to residents, posting on Facebook that he is available to help not only as a member of local government, but as a fellow citizen.

“With the coronavirus going around, it’s impacting all of our lives in many different ways but really is affecting our elderly and high risk citizens,” he said Monday.

Wiessner said anybody knowing any high risk or elderly residents needing someone to shop for groceries; medicine pick up or drop off; or anything mailed should message him on Facebook Messenger or to call him directly.

“I will be willing to go to the store for them so that they can stay safe inside,” Wiessner said. “I hope everyone is safe and healthy … may God bless all of you and your families.”

Wiessner got the idea to help by considering his father’s situation. He is the son of Mahanoy City Mayor Dennis Wiessner, a man he considers high risk.

“My father has conditions, as do many other people in town, and it’s only right that those of us who can help do help,” he said.

“Every one of us should step up, a lot of people who need assistance I am personally friends with,” Ben Wiessner said.

“I’m healthy. I can help,” he added.

Since putting his Facebook post on the internet, Ben Wiessner said he has helped two or three people so far and hopes to help others.

He called the response to the Facebook posting “awesome,” being shared a lot and getting the word out.

“I get a lot of messages and that in itself shows that people care about each other,” Ben Wiessner said.

Dennis Wiessner said his son ran for a position on Mahanoy City Borough Council because he wanted to make a difference in the town he lives in.

“This shows the way he was raised. He’s a good boy,” the mayor said.

Dennis Wiessner said his son has a good heart and enjoys helping people.

“He will do anything he can for anybody,” Dennis Wiessner said.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.